Product Details
JOHN RIGBY & CO.
A FINE .450 (3 1/4IN.) NITRO EXPRESS 1879 PATENT SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 16873,
28in. Krupp-steel nitro chopperlump barrels (cordite proved .450 EX. CORDITE 70 - 480MAX) with raised matt rib, carved in gothic script 'JOHN RIGBY & CO. 72 ST. JAMES'S ST. LONDON', and bold scroll engraving at the breech end, open sights with two folding leaf sights, white metal inlaid sight lines and marked for 100, 200 and 300 yards, ramped bead fore-sight, the tubes engraved 'SPECIAL .450 BORE BIG GAME RIFLE. FOR SPECIAL CORDITE CARTRIDGES & BULLET 480GRS', treble-grip action with Rigby & Bissell patent rising third bite, patent no. 1141 of 1879, use number 816, action face marked with patent use number and also number 2647, carved leaf fences, slender toplever, manual safety with button release and gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, removable striker discs, dipped-edge lockplates, chequered front trigger, fully engraved with bold foliate scroll engraving on a partially matted background, retaining much original colour-hardening, 14 5/8in. figured pistolgrip stock with engraved sling button, horn pistolgrip-cap and including 7/8in. rubber recoil pad, fore-end with Rigby patent screw-grip fore-end fastener, weight 10lb. 14oz., in its leather case with accessories, the lid outer marked 'LORD WINDSOR'
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that this rifle was completed on 6th April 1906 for Lord Windsor, as a "...best top lever non ejector hammerless double rifle, pistol hand, vertical bolt, special smokeless', with 28in. barrels weighing 6lb. 8oz. with an overall weight of 10lb. 14oz.. Action number 2647.
The family have kindly confirmed that The Rigby .450 double rifle no. 16873 was built for Robert George Windsor-Clive, 1st Earl of Plymouth. He was born in 1857 and was Lord Lieutenant for Glamorgan from 1890. He was a major in the Worcestershire Yeomanry from 1885 and an Hon. Col. in the Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteer Company from 1891. He resided at 53 Grosvenor Street, London, Hewell Grange, Bromsgrove and at St. Fagan's Castle, Cardiff. He died on 6th March 1923.
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Estimate £10,000-15,000
S1